Latino beliefs about biomedical research participation: a qualitative study on the U.S.-Mexico border

The Impact of Insider Researcher Trainees in Recruiting and Retaining Latinx in an Outdoor Health Promotion Research Study

Latinx represent the second largest ethnic group in the USA and remain significantly underrepresented in research studies. Efforts to better include Latinx make use of community-engaged research (CEnR) approaches, peer-navigators, and cultural humility training for research teams. While these efforts have led to slight increases in Latinx participation, studies to identify strategic practices for better inclusion of Latinx participants are needed. The objective of this study was to qualitatively examine factors leading to successful recruitment and retention of Latinx participants in the Promoting Activity and Stress Reduction in the Outdoors (PASITO) intervention. For this intervention, 99 low-income Latinx clients in a local community were contacted and 52 participants were recruited (53%). All were retained in the 3-month intervention. Of these, 12 were interviewed within 6 months of the close of PASITO by bi-cultural and bi-lingual non-research staff. They conducted one-on-one structured telephone interviews. Of the twelve participants, three (25%) were men, nine (75%) were women, and the mean age was 43.7 (SD = 8.7). Four critical themes for the recruitment and retention of Latinx populations emerged from the interviews: (1) importance of insider researchers; (2) sense of community and belonging; (3) responsive programming; and (4) health-promoting activities. These findings support the significant role insider researchers can play, and social identity theory provides a useful framework for understanding the role of insider researchers in recruiting and retaining Latinx, and likely other minoritized groups, in clinical studies. Insider researchers possess the skills, training, community cultural wealth, in-depth understanding of their communities, and structural competencies that position them to carry out more inclusive studies to address the needs of marginalized communities and advance science.

Air pollution exposure may impact the composition of human milk oligosaccharides

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) impact neonate immunity and health outcomes. However, the environmental factors influencing HMO composition remain understudied. This study examined the associations between ambient air pollutant (AAP) exposure and HMOs at 1-month postpartum. Human milk samples were collected at 1-month postpartum (n = 185). AAP (PM2.5, PM10, NO2) exposure included the 9-month pregnancy period through 1-month postpartum. Associations between AAP with (1) HMO diversity, (2) the sum of sialylated and fucosylated HMOs, (3) 6 a priori HMOs linked with infant health, and (4) all HMOs were examined using multivariable linear regression and principal component analysis (PCA). Exposure to AAP was associated with lower HMO diversity. PM2.5 and PM10 exposure was positively associated with the HMO 3-fucosyllactose (3FL); PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with the sum of total HMOs, sum of fucosylated HMOs, and the HMO 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL). PCA indicated the PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 exposures were associated with HMO profiles. Individual models indicated that AAP exposure was associated with five additional HMOs (LNFP I, LNFP II, DFLNT, LNH). This is the first study to demonstrate associations between AAP and breast milk HMOs. Future longitudinal studies will help determine the long-term impact of AAP on human milk composition.

Pintura Mural para Recolectar Datos Sensibilizantes y Fomentar la Participación en la Investigación Entre los Latinos de EE. UU

Proposito. Describir una intervención de murales implementadas con comunidad envecindarios Latinos para elevar conciencia de barreras delreclutamiento/retención de Latinos en EE. UU. en la investigación clínica,y aumentar acceso de los investigadores a conceptos de sensibilización críticos para el riguroso diseño de estudios. Fondo. Latinos en EE. UU. sufren desproporcionada de varias enfermedadescrónicas, pero son subrepresentados como investigadores y participantesen investigaciones financiadas por Institutos Nacionales de Salud. Faltade representación inhibe conciencia de necesidades Latinas para la saludy obstaculiza esfuerzos para abordar la falta de equidad en comunidadesdiversas. Las intervenciones de arte en comunidades Latinas siguensiendo reconocidas por capacidad a cerrar brechas e incrementar lacalidad y cantidad de asociaciones de investigación entre investigadores y Latinos. Método. Este artículo describe una intervención de murales puesta a prueba endos vecindarios mayormente Latinos entre 2016 y 2020. El método deldiseño fue guiado por prácticas de investigación participativas con lacomunidad enfocadas en Evaluación-Diagnóstico Planificación- Implementación-Evaluación. Resultados. Los murales abordaron muchos desafíos de participación que a menudo se asocian con la subrepresentación de los Latinos en la investigación académica y permitió entrevistas de sensibilización con miembros clave de la comunidad sobre temas de interés para investigación. Conclusión. Los métodos de investigación que reconocen las formas de arte tradicionales, como murales, crean espacio para generar confianza e iniciar interés en la participación en investigaciones, y aumentan acceso.

Prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age

BACKGROUND

Higher prenatal ambient air pollution exposure has been associated with impaired neurodevelopment in preschoolers and school-aged children. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between prenatal ambient air pollution exposure and neurodevelopment during infancy.

METHODS

This study examined 161 Latino mother-infant pairs from the Southern California Mother's Milk Study. Exposure assessments included prenatal nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, respectively). The pregnancy period was also examined as three windows, early, mid, and late, which describe the first, middle, and last three months of pregnancy. Infant neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age were measured using the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Multivariable linear models and distributed lag linear models (DLM) were used to examine relationships between prenatal exposures and neurodevelopmental scores, adjusting for socioeconomic status, breastfeeding frequency, time of delivery, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and infant birthweight and sex.

RESULTS

Higher prenatal exposure to PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was negatively associated with composite cognitive score (β = -2.01 [-3.89, -0.13] and β = -1.97 [-3.83, -0.10], respectively). In addition, higher average prenatal exposure to PM₁₀ was negatively associated with composite motor (β = -2.35 [-3.95, -0.74]), scaled motor (β = -0.77 [-1.30, -0.24]), gross motor (β = -0.37 [-0.70, -0.04]), fine motor (β = -0.40 [-0.71, -0.09]), composite language (β = -1.87 [-3.52, -0.22]), scaled language (β = -0.61 [-1.18, -0.05]) and expressive communication scaled scores (β = -0.36 [-0.66, -0.05]). DLMs showed that higher prenatal air pollution exposure during mid and late pregnancy was inversely associated with motor, cognitive, and communication language scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy, particularly in the mid and late prenatal periods, was inversely associated with scaled and composite motor, cognitive, and language scores at 2 years. These results indicate that prenatal ambient air pollution may negatively impact neurodevelopment in early life.

Perceptions of Research Participation among a Sample of Florida Residents Aged 50 and Over Reporting Dementia

As the population ages, the prevalence of dementia will increase. More research is needed; however, low rates of research participation, especially by older adults, hinder progress. Data came from HealthStreet, a University of Florida community engagement program in which community health workers assess community members for their health conditions. Adults 50 and over were included in these analyses; their perceptions of health research studies were assessed. Our sample had an average age of 60.5 years and 4.3% reported dementia (n = 4,881). Overall, older adults reported a high willingness to participate in research. Individuals who reported dementia had 0.64 times the odds of reporting willingness to participate in a research study that required an overnight stay, compared to those who did not report dementia (95% CI: 0.45-0.89). We report on willingness to participate in research in a more granular basis than has been previously done. Community members reporting dementia, compared to those without, were as or more likely to desire future participation in health research. However, barriers to participation remain and must be addressed.

How do Hispanics/Latinos Perceive and Value the Return of Research Results?

Introduction: Interest in the return of research results has been increasing; however, little is known about how Hispanics/Latinos perceive and value receiving results. This study examined differences among Hispanics/Latinos by education and income in the experience and expectations about the return of research results, perceived value of specific types of information, and the least and most valuable specific information. Method: Retrospective observational design using a cross-sectional national survey sample of Hispanics/Latinos (n = 327). Results: Higher educational attainment was positively associated with the expectation to receive research results, likelihood to participate in research if given study findings, and likelihood to trust researchers if given results. Higher income was positively associated with the perceived value of getting results. Respondents with higher education specifically perceived greater value in information about how lifestyle and genetics affect their risk of disease, how genetics affect how they respond to medications, their ancestry, available clinical trials near them, and how to connect with other study participants. Respondents with higher income perceived greater value in information about how genetics affect their risk of disease and how they respond to medications. Conclusion: The findings offer important insights for planning research initiatives and for developing culturally targeted educational materials for Hispanics/Latinos.

Beliefs and willingness towards participating in genetic testing for depression in low-income and racial/ethnic minority mothers at-risk

PURPOSE

To identify mothers' salient normative, behavioral and control beliefs and willingness towards participating in genetic salivary testing for depression.

DESIGN

A qualitative, descriptive design was employed. 41 multi-ethnic mothers completed surveys that underwent directed content analysis according to The Theory of Planned Behavior. Percentages and frequency counts were used to categorize responses and calculate willingness.

FINDINGS

Salient beliefs included: Behavioral: Finding a cure/treatment for depression (29.3 %), Normative: Family would approve (46.3 %), and Church associates would disapprove (19.5 %).

CONTROL

Lacking information/explanations (34.1 %) as barriers, convenient locations (24.4 %) as facilitators. Most mothers indicated a willingness to participate (90.2 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions should target families, emphasize benefits, explain purposes and procedures, and use community based participatory methods.

WITHDRAWN-Administrative Duplicate Publication: Mural Painting to Collect Sensitizing Data and Encourage Research Participation Among U.S. Latinos

Purpose

To describe a mural-based intervention that can be implemented in partnership with community members in Latino neighborhoods in order to improve awareness of barriers to recruitment/retention of U.S. Latinos in clinical research, while augmenting researchers’ access to sensitizing concepts critical for rigorous study design. Background. Latinos in the United States suffer disproportionately from several chronic illnesses but are under-represented as researchers and participants in the National Institutes of Health–funded research. This lack of representation inhibits a nuanced awareness of the health needs of U.S. Latinos and hampers efforts to address a persistent lack of health equity among U.S. Latinos and other communities of color. Art-based interventions implemented in Latino communities are increasingly being recognized for their ability to bridge this gap and positively affect the quality and quantity of research partnerships between clinical researchers and U.S. Latinos.

Method

This article describes a mural-based intervention piloted in two predominantly Latino neighborhoods between 2016 and 2020. The design of this method was guided by community-partnered participatory research practices and involved an Assessment–Diagnosis–Planning–Implementation–Evaluation approach.

Results

Mural painting addressed many of the participation challenges often associated with under-representation of Latinos in academic research and allowed for sensitizing interviews with key community members surrounding topics of interest to the research team.

Conclusion

Research methods that acknowledge traditional art forms, such as mural painting, create a space for building trust and spark interest in future research participation, while augmenting researchers’ access to sensitizing concepts that may improve the cultural competence of future studies, projects, and interventions.

A Relational Framework for Engaging Latino Sexual Minority Men in Sexual and Behavioral Health Research

Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) experience sexual and behavioral health disparities. Yet, LSMM are underrepresented in sexual and behavioral health research, creating scientific inequity. There is, therefore, a need to identify the barriers and facilitators to LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research, which is the gap that the current study sought to fill. We interviewed LSMM (n = 28; age 18-40, 57% US born) and key informants (n = 10) regarding LSMM's barriers and facilitators to participating in sexual and behavioral health research and suggestions for increasing participation. The research team coded the data via thematic analysis. We found that relational factors are central to understanding LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research. Some relational experiences (e.g., interpersonal stigma) interfered with participation, whereas others (e.g., altruistic desires to contribute to community well-being) facilitated participation. The findings are consolidated within a new relational framework for understanding LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research. Study findings highlight the centrality of relational factors in influencing LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research. Relational factors can be used to inform the development of culturally relevant recruitment strategies to improve representation of LSMM in sexual and behavioral health research. Implementing these recommendations may address scientific inequity, whereby LSMM are disproportionately impacted by sexual and behavioral health concerns yet underrepresented in related research.

Confronting Racism in All Forms of Pain Research: Reframing Study Designs

This second paper in a 3-part series on antiracism in pain research across the translational spectrum focuses on study design factors. Although objectivity is a cornerstone value of science, subjectivity is embedded in every step of the research process as investigators make choices about who they collaborate with, which research questions they ask, how they recruit participants, which research tools they use, and how they analyze and interpret data. We present theory and evidence from disciplines such as sociology, medical anthropology, statistics, and public health to discuss 4 common study design factors, including 1) the dominant biomedical narrative of pain that restricts funding and exploration of social indicators of pain, 2) low diversity and inclusion in pain research enrollment that restricts generalizability to racialized groups, 3) the use of "race" or "ethnicity" as a statistical variable and proxy for lived experiences (eg, racism, resilience), and 4) limited modeling in preclinical research for the impact of social factors on pain physiology. The information presented in this article is intended to start conversations across stakeholders in the pain field to explore how we can come together to adopt antiracism practices in our work at large to achieve equity for racialized groups. PERSPECTIVE: This is the second paper in a 3-part series on antiracism in pain research. This part identifies common study design factors that risk hindering progress toward pain care equity. We suggest reframes using an antiracism framework for these factors to encourage all pain investigators to collectively make strides toward equity.

Biobanking in Latinos: current status, principles for conduct, and contribution of a new biobank, El Banco por Salud, designed to improve the health of Latino patients of Mexican ancestry with type 2 diabetes

Underserved Latino communities experience a greater burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than the general population. Predictors of glycemic control are likely to include both biological/genetic and social determinants of health (SDOH). A variety of approaches have been used with cohorts of Latino patients to study aspects of this health disparity, and those are reviewed briefly here. Such projects range from cohorts that are studies for a primary purpose, for example, to discover genetic variation associated with T2DM or to examine a particular aspect of SDOH that might be involved. Other studies have been conducted more as infrastructure that is broadly based in order to provide a resource that can be used by many investigators to address a variety of questions. From our experience and those of others, we propose a set of principles to ensure that needs of the community are identified and taken into account during the conduct of these studies. As an example of the implementation of these principles, we also describe a new biobank El Banco por Salud (El Banco), which was designed to improve access to studies designed to improve glycemic control and health in Latinos in partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers in Arizona.

A cultural approach to dementia - insights from US Latino and other minoritized groups

Alzheimer disease and related dementias present considerable challenges to health-care and medical systems worldwide. In the USA, older Black and Latino individuals are more likely than older white individuals to have Alzheimer disease and related dementias. In this Perspective, we leverage our experience and expertise with older US Latino groups to review and discuss the need to integrate cultural factors into dementia research and care. We examine the importance of considering the effects of cultural factors on clinical presentation and diagnosis, dementia risk, clinical research and recruitment, and caregiving practices, with a focus on minoritized groups in the USA. We highlight critical gaps in the literature to stimulate future research aimed at improving the prevention and early detection of Alzheimer disease and related dementias and developing novel treatments and interventions across ethnoracially diverse populations. In addition, we briefly discuss some of our own initiatives to promote research and clinical care among Latino populations living in the USA.

Hispanic Perspectives on Parkinson's Disease Care and Research Participation

Background:

Hispanics are under-represented in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research despite the importance of diversity for results to apply to a wide range of patients.

Objective:

To investigate the perspective of Hispanic persons with Parkinson disease (PWP) regarding awareness, interest, and barriers to participation in research.

Methods:

We developed and administered a survey and qualitative interview in English and Spanish. For the survey, 62 Hispanic and 38 non-Hispanic PWP linked to a tertiary center were recruited in Arizona. For interviews, 20 Hispanic PWP, 20 caregivers, and six physicians providing service to Hispanic PWP in the community were recruited in California. Survey responses of Hispanic and non-Hispanic PWP were compared. Major survey themes were identified by applying grounded theory and open coding.

Results:

The survey found roughly half (Q1 54%, Q2 55%) of Hispanic PWP linked to a tertiary center knew about research; there was unawareness among community Hispanic PWP. Most preferred having physician recommendations for research participation and were willing to participate. Hispanics preferred teams who speak their native language and include family. Research engagement, PD knowledge, role of family, living with PD, PD care, pre-diagnosis/diagnosis emerged as themes from the interview.

Conclusion:

Barriers exist for participation of Hispanic PWP in research, primarily lack of awareness of PD research opportunities. Educating physicians of the need to encourage research participation of Hispanic PWP can address this. Physicians need to be aware of ongoing research and should not assume PWP disinterest. Including family members and providing research opportunities in their native language can increase research recruitment.

Predictors of Participation in Clinical Research

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

Background

Despite numerous efforts to create more equitable healthcare systems, minority populations face long-standing health disparities compared to White populations. Healthcare research is the necessary foundation for creating equitable health systems and providing patient-centered care. Significant challenges exist, however, with recruiting and engaging underrepresented populations in clinical research.

Objectives

The purpose of this analysis was to determine how research participants' race, trust, and level of education influence participation barriers in clinical research.

Methods

The study used secondary, cross-sectional survey data that were collected between 2014 and 2016 through the former Mid-South Clinical Data Research Network, currently known as the Stakeholders, Technology, and Research Clinical Research Network. Descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlations were performed between level of education, level of trust, and each attitude statement for each racial category.

Results

A total of 2,190 survey responses were used in the data analysis. The mean age of respondents was 52 years, with majority being women, White, insured, and working full time. Overall, the respondents had favorable attitudes toward research participation. Trust was correlated with agreement in many attitude statements for both White and African American respondents, whereas correlations with education level were more variable depending on racial grouping. Trust level was negatively associated with agreement toward the statement “researchers do not care about me” in White and Native American respondents.

Discussion

The results support the importance of trust to research participation. Generally, education level was not strongly predictive of research participation, although prediction was influenced by race and attitude.

Participation in genetic research among Latinx populations by Latin America birth-residency concordance: a global study

Latinx populations are underrepresented in DNA-based research, and risk not benefiting from research if underrepresentation continues. Latinx populations are heterogenous; reflect complex social, migration, and colonial histories; and form strong global diasporas. We conducted a global study using a survey tool (Amazon's Mechanical Turk portal) to ascertain willingness to participate in genetic research by Latin America birth-residency concordance. Participants in the global study identified as Latinx (n=250) were classified as the following: (1) born/live outside of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), (2) born within/live outside LAC, and (3) born/live within LAC. Latinx were similarly likely to indicated they would participate DNA-based research as their non-Latinx counterparts (52.8% vs. 56.2%, respectively). Latinx born and living in LAC were significantly more willing to participate in DNA-based research than Latinx born and living outside of LAC (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 4.9, p<.01). Latinx indicating they would participate in genetic research were more likely to trust researchers (<.05), believe genetic research could lead to better understanding of disease (<.05), and that genetic research could lead to new treatments (p<.05) when compared with Latinx not interested in participating in genetic research. In summary, significant variation exists in genetic research interest among Latinx based on where they were born and live, suggesting that this context itself independently influences decisions about participation. Cultivating and investing in a research ecosystem that addresses, values, and respects Latinx priorities, circumstances, and researchers would likely increase research participation and, even more importantly, potentially impact the inequitable health disparities disproportionately represented in Latinx communities.

Willingness to Participate in Health Research Among Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Does Race/Ethnicity Matter?

INTRODUCTION

Older adults, including racial and ethnic minorities, are underrepresented in research. As the US population ages, the number of older racial and ethnic minority individuals will increase. Including these individuals in research is an important step towards reducing health disparities.

METHODS

We used data from HealthStreet, a University of Florida community engagement program which uses community health workers to assess the health of the community, to assess willingness to participate in different types of health research by race/ethnicity. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to assess willingness to participate among adults aged 50 and older, by race/ethnicity (n = 4694).

RESULTS

Our sample was 42.0% non-Hispanic White, 52.8% non-Hispanic Black, and 5.2% Hispanic. Non-Hispanic White participants reported more past research participation than non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic participants (28.7% vs. 19.0% and 19.2%, respectively). Compared with non-Hispanic White participants, non-Hispanic Black participants were less willing to participate in most types of studies, while Hispanic participants were less willing to participate in studies that might be seen as invasive (required blood sample, genetic sample, or participants to take medicine, or use of medical equipment).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides investigators with a general profile of research preferences by race/ethnicity; compared with non-Hispanic White individuals, non-Hispanic Black individuals are less willing to participate in most studies, while Hispanic individuals are less willing to participate in studies that may be seen as invasive or demanding. It is imperative to include diverse older adults in health research. By tailoring research based on preferences we can improve recruitment in underrepresented populations.

Demographic predictors of urinary arsenic in a low-income predominantly Hispanic pregnancy cohort in Los Angeles

BACKGROUND

Arsenic (As) is a contaminant of top public health concern, due to its range of detrimental health effects. Arsenic exposure has not been well-characterized among the US Hispanic populations and has been particularly understudied in this population during pregnancy.

METHODS

As part of the MADRES ongoing pregnancy cohort of predominantly lower-income, Hispanic women in Los Angeles, CA, we examined levels of maternal first trimester urinary As, including total As and As metabolites (inorganic (iAs), monomethylated (MMA) and dimethylated As (DMA)), in relation to participant demographics, lifestyle characteristics, and rice/seafood consumption, to identify factors that may influence As exposure and its metabolites during pregnancy (N = 241).

RESULTS

Total As concentrations ranged from low to high (0.8-506.2 μg/L, mean: 9.0 μg/L, SD: 32.9) in our study population. Foreign-born Hispanic women had 8.6% higher %DMA (95% CI: 3.3%, 13.9%) and -7.7% lower %iAs (95% CI: -12.6%, -2.9%) than non-Hispanic women. A similar trend was observed for US-born Hispanic women. In addition, maternal age was associated with 0.4% higher %iAs (95% CI: 0.1%, 0.6%) and 0.4% lower %DMA (95% CI: -0.7%, -0.1%) per year, which may indicate poor As methylation capacity.

CONCLUSION

Individual factors may predict As exposure and metabolism in pregnancy, and in turn, greater risk of adverse health effects.

Risk Factors and Wellness Measures Associated with Prediabetes and Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Hispanic Adults

Background: To characterize the associations of clinical risk factors, lifestyle factors, and wellness measures with prediabetes and new type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) diagnosis in Hispanic adults and guide primary prevention. Methods: Sangre Por Salud Biobank enrolled 3733 Hispanic adults from Phoenix, AZ, United States, from 2013 to 2018. This analysis included participants with euglycemia, prediabetes, or new T2DM diagnosis (i.e., no prior T2DM diagnosis) at enrollment. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire on cardiometabolic risk factors and wellness measures and provided biometric measurements. The associations of factors and measures with odds (95% confidence interval) of prediabetes and new T2DM diagnosis were analyzed in logistic regression models. Results: Among 3299 participants with euglycemia (n = 1301), prediabetes (n = 1718), and new T2DM diagnosis (n = 280) at enrollment, 72% were women (n = 2376/3299). In adjusted models, most cardiometabolic risk factors were positively associated with prediabetes and new T2DM diagnosis, with stronger associations for new T2DM diagnosis. Obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m² vs. lower) was associated with higher odds of new T2DM diagnosis (3.14 [2.30-4.28]; P < 0.01) than prediabetes versus euglycemia (1.96 [1.66-2.32]; P < 0.01) and Interaction (P = 0.01). Similarly, waist circumference, family history of diabetes, and average systolic and diastolic blood pressure were associated with higher odds of new T2DM diagnosis versus euglycemia than prediabetes versus euglycemia. Using stepwise logistic regression modeling, a parsimonious model of age, family history of diabetes, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, passive tobacco exposure, and self-rated general health were associated with new T2DM diagnosis versus euglycemia. Conclusions: In Hispanic adults, modifiable cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors were associated with prediabetes and new T2DM diagnosis. Personalized interventions targeting these factors and measures could guide T2DM primary prevention efforts among Hispanic adults.

Participant engagement in a community based participatory research study to reduce alcohol use among Latino immigrant men

Although Latino immigrant men experience many health disparities, they are underrepresented in research to understand and address disparities. Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) has been identified to encourage participant engagement and increase representation in health disparities research. The CBPR conceptual model describes how partnership processes and study design impact participant engagement in research. Using this model, we sought to describe how these domains influenced participant engagement in a pilot randomized controlled trial of brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use (n = 121) among Latino immigrant men. We conducted interviews with a sample of study participants (n = 25) and reviewed logs maintained by 'promotores'. We identified facilitators of participant engagement, including the relevance of the study topic, alignment with participants' goals to improve their lives, partnerships with study staff that treated participants respectfully and offered access to resources. Further, men reported that the study time and location were convenient and that they appreciated being compensated for their time. Barriers to participant engagement included survey questions that were difficult to understand and competing demands of work responsibilities. Findings suggest that engaging underserved communities requires culturally responsive and community engagement strategies that promote trust. Future studies should further investigate how CBPR partnership processes can inform intervention research.

Eliciting Willingness and Beliefs towards Participation in Genetic Psychiatric Testing in Black/African American Mothers at Risk for Depression

Black/African American women are at high risk for depression, yet are underrepresented in psychiatric genetic research for depression prevention and treatment. Little is known about the factors that influence participation in genetic testing for Black/African American women at risk. The purpose of this study was to elicit the beliefs that underlie participation in genetic testing for depression in Black/African American mothers, a subgroup at high risk. Willingness to participate in genetic testing procedures was also determined. A qualitative, descriptive design was employed. Exactly 19 mothers aged 21–42 completed open-ended questionnaires. Directed content and descriptive analyses of the text were conducted based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Salient beliefs included: behavioral advantages—diagnosing/detecting depression (31.6%), finding cure/treatment (21.1%); disadvantages—not finding follow-up treatment/help (21.1%); salient referents, who approves—family members (47.4%), agencies/organizations (26.3%); who disapproves—church associates (21.1%). Control beliefs included: barriers—unpleasant/difficult testing procedures (42.1%), limited knowledge about the purpose of testing (26.3%); facilitator—a convenient location (21.1%). Most mothers (89.5%) indicated willingness to participate in testing. Interventions can target families, address barriers, emphasize future benefits, and use convenient locations and community-based participatory research methods. Policies can address social determinants of participation to increase inclusion of these mothers in psychiatric genetic research.

Attitudes of Mothers Regarding Willingness to Enroll Their Children in Research

This study assessed mothers' perspectives regarding research involvement by their children, factors that might affect perceptions of research risks, and attitudes regarding willingness to enroll children in research. Participants completed a survey on Amazon Mechanical Turk. Mothers were less inclined to enroll children in research involving procedures posing higher risk (regression coefficient = -0.51). Mothers without mental health issues with children without health issues were more sensitive to risk than mothers without mental health issues with children with health issues (estimated difference = 0.49). Mothers with mental health issues were more willing than mothers without mental health issues to enroll children in research (regression coefficient = -0.90). Among mothers with mental health issues, having a child with a health issue was associated with increased willingness to enroll in research, compared with having children without health issues (estimated difference = 0.65).

The importance of personalismo: Navigating obstacles in recruitment strategies for Spanish speakers in marginalized communities

Recruitment obstacles with Spanish-speaking individuals and members of marginalized communities have been documented in the literature in narrative form, but quantitative data on effective strategies are limited. Within our research protocol assessing the impact of a storytelling intervention on knowledge and uptake of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) aneuploidy screening, three different recruitment strategies were trialed and enrollment rates were compared. Throughout the study, field notes were collected from observations in recruitment efforts. We demonstrate the effectiveness of language-concordant, personal interactions, and culturally tailored materials for recruitment of Spanish-speaking participants into genomic research studies. We also offer commentary on the experience of the researchers that provides insights to inform recruitment methods for marginalized communities.

Motivations for Participation in Parkinson Disease Genetic Research Among Hispanics versus Non-Hispanics

Involvement of participants from different racial and ethnic groups in genomic research is vital to reducing health disparities in the precision medicine era. Racial and ethnically diverse populations are underrepresented in current genomic research, creating bias in result interpretation. Limited information is available to support motivations or barriers of these groups to participate in genomic research for late-onset, neurodegenerative disorders. To evaluate willingness for research participation, we compared motivations for participation in genetic studies among 113 Parkinson disease (PD) patients and 49 caregivers visiting the Movement Disorders clinic at the University of Miami. Hispanics and non-Hispanics were equally motivated to participate in genetic research for PD. However, Hispanic patients were less likely to be influenced by the promise of scientific advancements (N = 0.01). This lack of scientific interest, but not other motivations, was found to be likely confounded by lower levels of obtained education (N = 0.001). Overall, these results suggest that underrepresentation of Hispanics in genetic research may be partly due to reduced invitations to these studies.

Enrollment and biospecimen collection in a multiethnic family cohort: the Northern California site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry

PURPOSE

Racial/ethnic minorities are often assumed to be less willing to participate in and provide biospecimens for biomedical research. We examined racial/ethnic differences in enrollment of women with breast cancer (probands) and their first-degree relatives in the Northern California site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry from 1996 to 2011.

METHODS

We evaluated participation in several study components, including biospecimen collection, for probands and relatives by race/ethnicity, cancer history, and other factors.

RESULTS

Of 4,780 eligible probands, 76% enrolled in the family registry by completing the family history and risk factor questionnaires and 68% also provided a blood or mouthwash sample. Enrollment was highest (81%) for non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) and intermediate (73-76%) for Hispanics, African Americans, and all Asian American subgroups, except Filipina women (66%). Of 4,279 eligible relatives, 77% enrolled in the family registry, and 65% also provided a biospecimen sample. Enrollment was highest for NHWs (87%) and lowest for Chinese (68%) and Filipinas (67%). Among those enrolled, biospecimen collection rates were similar for NHW, Hispanic, and African American women, both for probands (92-95%) and relatives (82-87%), but lower for some Asian-American subgroups (probands: 72-88%; relatives: 71-88%), foreign-born Asian Americans, and probands those who were more recent immigrants or had low English language proficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that racial/ethnic minority populations are willing to provide biospecimen samples for research, although some Asian American subgroups in particular may need more directed recruitment methods. To address long-standing and well-documented cancer health disparities, minority populations need equal opportunities to contribute to biomedical research.

Developing a Culturally Informed Survey Instrument to Assess Biomedical Research Participation Among Latinos on the U.S.-Mexico Border

Racial/ethnic minorities, rural populations, and those with low socioeconomic status income are underrepresented in research in the United States (U.S.). Assessing preferences for recruitment, participation, and the role of beliefs about biomedical research in specific and unique underserved communities represents a potentially critical step in reducing barriers to biomedical research participation. We developed a culturally informed survey to measure factors related to participation, knowledge, expectations, and barriers to biomedical research participation among Latinos living in a U.S. border community. We employed a multidisciplinary team approach to a sequential, three-phase qualitative study that included interviews ( n = 35), focus groups ( n =24), and "think-aloud" cognitive interviews ( n = 5). Our study demonstrates the value of applying multiple qualitative approaches to inform a culturally relevant quantitative survey incorporating words and constructs relevant to the population of interest. The study contributes to qualitative method research paradigms by developing a research protocol that integrates the expertise and perspectives of researchers and community members from multiple disciplines and institutions.

Selling the product: Strategies to increase recruitment and retention of Spanish-speaking Latinos in biomedical research

Introduction

The Latino population in the United States is rapidly growing and faces profound health disparities; however, engagement of Latinos in biomedical research remains low. Our community-based participatory research partnership has recruited 2083 Spanish-speaking Latinos into 21 studies over 15 years. We sought to identify and describe the strategies we have used to successfully recruit and retain Spanish-speaking Latinos in research.

Methods

We abstracted and analyzed data from archived study notes, progress reports, team meeting minutes, and in-depth interviews conducted annually from community-based participatory research partnership members. We used a nominal group process to refine and prioritize strategies.

Results

Overall, 13 recruitment strategies and 12 retention strategies emerged. These strategies relied on the creativity and perseverance of the study team and partners.

Conclusions

It is essential that we develop and disseminate effective recruitment and retention strategies that engage Latinos in biomedical research to reduce health disparities and promote health equity.

Strategies for conducting health research with Latinos during times of political incivility

AIM

The current US political climate towards immigrants introduces new challenges for researchers already struggling to recruit and retain Latino participants in health research. The purpose of this work is to illuminate how current political incivility further deters participation by Latinos in research and present strategies to overcome these challenges.

DESIGN/METHODS

In this discursive piece, we describe how political incivility serves as a proxy for discrimination, discusses the impact of political incivility on health and health outcomes and explores existing knowledge of recruitment and retention strategies in the light of a current, adversely impacted health study with Latinos during the 2016 election season.

RESULTS

Future work should consider the critical contextual factors (including political incivility) faced by Latinos in the US, while continuing to engage in established research strategies such as increasing trust, developing strong community presence, reducing risks (real and perceived) and being thoughtful in research design and implementation.

The Precision Medicine Nation

The United States' ambitious Precision Medicine Initiative proposes to accelerate exponentially the adoption of precision medicine, an approach to health care that tailors disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle. It aims to achieve this by creating a cohort of volunteers for precision medicine research, accelerating biomedical research innovation, and adopting policies geared toward patients' empowerment. As strategies to implement the PMI are formulated, critical consideration of the initiative's ethical and sociopolitical dimensions is needed. Drawing on scholarship of nationalism and democracy, we discuss the PMI's construction of what we term "genomic citizenship"; the possible normative obligations arising therefrom; and the ethical, legal, and social challenges that will ensue. Although the PMI is a work in progress, discussion of the existing and emerging issues can facilitate the development of policies, structures, and procedures that can maximize the initiative's ability to produce equitable and socially sensitive outcomes. Our analysis can also be applied to other population-based, precision medicine research programs.

Challenges and opportunities in establishing a collaborative multisite observational study of chronic diseases and lifestyle factors among adults in Puerto Rico

Background

Prevalence of chronic diseases and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors among the adult population of Puerto Rico (PR) is high; however, few epidemiological studies have been conducted to address these. We aimed to document the methods and operation of establishing a multisite cross-sectional study of chronic diseases and risk factors in PR, in partnership with academic, community, clinical, and research institutions.

Methods

The Puerto Rico Assessment of Diet, Lifestyle and Diseases (PRADLAD) documented lifestyle and health characteristics of adults living in PR, with the goal of informing future epidemiological and intervention projects, as well as public health, policy, and clinical efforts to help improve the population’s health. The study was conducted in three primary care clinics in the San Juan, PR metropolitan area. Eligible volunteers were 30–75y, living in PR for at least 10 months of the previous year, and able to answer interviewer-administered questionnaires without assistance. Questions were recorded electronically by trained interviewers, and included socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, self-reported medically-diagnosed diseases, and psychosocial factors. Waist and hip circumferences were measured following standardized protocols. A subset of participants answered a validated food frequency questionnaire, a legumes questionnaire, and had medical record data abstracted. Process and outcome evaluation indicators were assessed.

Results

The study screened 403 participants in 5 months. Of these, 396 (98%) were eligible and 380 (94%) had reliable and complete information. A subset of 242 participants had valid dietary data, and 236 had medical record data. The mean time to complete an interview was 1.5 h. Participants were generally cooperative and research collaborators were fully engaged. Having multiple sites helped enhance recruitment and sociodemographic representation. Diagnosed conditions were prevalent across sites. Challenges in data monitoring, interviewer training, and scheduling were identified and corrected, and should be addressed in future studies.

Conclusions

Epidemiological studies in PR can be successfully implemented in partnership with multiple institutions. Effective recruitment and implementation requires concerted planning and continued involvement from partners, frequent quality control, brief interviews, reasonable incentives, and thorough training/re-training of culturally-sensitive interviewers. Further studies are feasible and needed to help address highly prevalent chronic conditions in PR.

Community Perceptions of Biobanking Participation: A Qualitative Study among Mexican-Americans in Three Texas Cities

BACKGROUND

Most biospecimens in the US are collected from non-Hispanic Whites, limiting the generalizability of findings. There is a need to increase participation in biobanking among ethnic and racial minorities. The purpose of this study was to use qualitative methods to identify factors that may influence Mexican-American individuals' willingness to participate in biobanking.

METHODS

We conducted 15 focus groups in three Texas cities with Mexican-American individuals, in both Spanish and English.

RESULTS

Lack of knowledge about medical research and biobanks, lack of information about the specifics of biobanking participation, lack of communication of the results, fear of pain or harm, and distrust of the healthcare system or health research were identified as barriers to biobanking participation. Facilitators to participation were altruism, safety, understanding biobanking procedures and purposes, perceived benefits to participation, and culturally appropriate recruitment strategies. Although Mexican-Americans living in Texas are willing to donate biospecimens for altruistic reasons, such as helping society or advancing science, they want more information about what biobanking entails. They want to be assured that participation will not cause them harm and that the research is conducted with good intentions.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study can inform educational materials or interventions to increase Hispanic participation in biobanking.

A Personal Touch: The Most Important Strategy for Recruiting Latino Research Participants

People from non-White racial groups and other underserved populations, including Latinos, are frequently reluctant to participate in research. Yet their participation into research is foundational to producing information that researchers and health care providers need to address health disparities. The purpose of this article is to describe challenges we have encountered along with culturally relevant strategies we used in five research studies to recruit Mexican American participants from community settings, some of whom were also of low socioeconomic status. We found that the most effective recruitment strategies reflect the common cultural values of personalismo, simpátia, confianza, respeto, and familismo.

Self-Consent for HIV Prevention Research Involving Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: Reducing Barriers Through Evidence-Based Ethics

This project examined the attitudes of sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) toward guardian permission for a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence trial and their preparedness to provide informed, rational, and voluntary self-consent. Sixty sexually active SGMY (ages 14-17) participated in online survey and asynchronous focus group questions after watching a video describing a PrEP adherence study. Youth responses highlighted guardian permission as a significant barrier to research participation, especially for those not "out" to families. Youth demonstrated understanding of research benefits, medical side effects, confidentiality risks, and random assignment and felt comfortable asking questions and declining participation. Reasoning about participation indicated consideration of health risks and benefits, personal sexual behavior, ability to take pills every day, logistics, and post-trial access to PrEP. Results demonstrate youth's ability to self-consent to age- and population-appropriate procedures, and underscore the value of empirical studies for informing institutional review board (IRB) protections of SGMY research participants.

Giving samples or "getting checked": measuring conflation of observational biospecimen research and clinical care in Latino communities

Background

Expectations of receiving personal health information as a fringe benefit of biospecimen donation—termed diagnostic misconception—are increasingly documented. We developed an instrument measuring conflation of observational biospecimen-based research and clinical care for use with Latino communities, who may be particularly affected by diagnostic misconception due to limited health care access.

Methods

The instrument was developed using prior qualitative research, revised through cognitive interviewing and expert review, and field tested in a convenience sample of 150 Latino adults in Eastern Washington State. It was further refined through exploratory factor analysis and validated against existing measures of genetic knowledge and researcher trust.

Results

The final instrument demonstrated high internal consistency, evidence of content and construct validity, and no floor and ceiling effects. Individuals who were unemployed, spoke only Spanish, had no health insurance, received health care outside of traditional venues, and had good self-rated health received higher scores, indicating greater conflation of biospecimen-based research and clinical care.

Conclusions

The ability to systematically measure beliefs related to diagnostic misconception will help facilitate ethically-informed efforts to recruit Latinos into biospecimen-based research studies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12910-015-0041-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.